Commission grants training extension, approves an equivalency and signs off on K-9 evaluators

The Criminal Justice Training Commission took several formal actions during the meeting, including granting a training-extension appeal, approving an equivalency request and confirming K-9 evaluators.

Training-extension appeal: Federal Way Police Department asked the Commission to grant a three-month extension so that Officer Jesse Perry’s completed hours could be applied to the prior compliance year. Staff said the request had been denied for late submission but the agency documented completion of the hours; the department said scheduling and a maternity leave contributed to the oversight and described new calendar reminders as a corrective step. The Commission voted to grant the extension and directed staff to record the outcome.

Equivalency/variance: Battleground Police Department requested that a recently hired officer with prior certification that expired slightly beyond the 60-month window be allowed to attend the two-week equivalency academy rather than the full basic academy. The hiring chief described the candidate’s five years of federal investigative work, continued professional engagement, and required follow-up training. The Commission approved the variance with conditions: the candidate must complete the equivalency course, demonstrate proficiency in the field-training process and finish any assigned coursework.

K-9 evaluator approvals: The Commission reviewed qualifications and administrative history for two proposed K-9 evaluators. Staff reported one prior administrative report for a deployment that was closed administratively and stated the deployments were determined to be within policy. The Commission voted to approve the candidates as K-9 evaluators; one commissioner recorded an abstention on one approval.

Procedural votes: The Commission also placed prior meeting minutes up for approval and carried them after a verbal roll call; a commissioner noted an abstention on one set of minutes because they had not yet read them.

The Commission did not take any disciplinary actions during the meeting. Staff will reflect these formal actions in the Commission record and return any follow-up items to the agenda as needed.